Champagne is generally associated with feelings of euphoric excess and the special occasions that prompt them -- New Year's Eve celebrations, weddings, birthdays, promotions. Even if you're in the mood to splurge, a large crowd or a tight budget can prompt the pursuit of cheap Champagne. From France to Spain, Italy, and California, there's enough excellent bubbly to go around for $10 or less. The challenge lies in knowing what you're buying. We considered online reviews and ratings from a variety of sources and consulted a wine expert to come up with our top picks.

If you think cheap white wine is only for grandma's spritzer, think again. There's a white wine -- costing no more than $10 to satisfy almost anyone's palate. Inexpensive white wines can complement a range of foods, brighten up a lazy summer afternoon, and make an excellent substitute for pre-dinner cocktails. White wines typically present fruity and/or floral flavors and aromas, sometimes offer a bit of spice and earthiness, and range in sugar content from bone dry to dessert-level sweet. We've made top picks based on tastings, ratings, reviews, and awards, on top of expert advice, and suspect wine drinkers will find at least one selection to suit both their sipping preferences and their budget.

Who needs a premium red wine when a thoroughly respectable bottle costs $10 or less? Frugal quaffers who know even a little bit about wine and aren't afraid to go with what they like will find many such bottles. There are hundreds of cheap red wines out there -- some barely worth the few dollars you'd pay but many worth drinking. With so many styles, grape varieties, producers, and labels to choose among, shopping can be a challenge. To guide wine drinkers through the thicket, we've made top picks based on tastings, ratings, reviews, awards, and expert advice. We've also selected a wide array of other inexpensive red wines fit to serve with a meal, bring to a party, or sip over the course of a quiet evening.

With just about two weeks left till Christmas, many shoppers are scrambling to find just the right gift for everyone on their holiday lists. If you're among them, don't sweat it. Our latest buying guides are full of ideas, from cheap and easy items from the dollar store to gifts every foodie will love to useful stocking stuffers to gifts for pets, there's something for everyone. Still unsure? Our guide to stores with the most and least generous return policies can make purchasing any gift less stressful. And if all the running around this holiday season has you wondering just how many miles you're racking up, check out our guide to the best, cheap fitness trackers, which can also help focus your fitness goals in the new year. Also new on the blog this week: smart tax moves to make before year-end, how to put your family on a budget, incredible gingerbread house displays across the continent, and more. Updated Buying Guides: Best Cheap Champagne. A buying guide to cheap champagne -- more properly known as sparkling wine -- that can do a celebration proud for less than $10 a bottle. New and Updated Blog Posts: 19 Cheap Holiday Gifts for Pets. Here are 19 holiday gift ideas that furry friends are sure to appreciate. Pet owners will take delight in them, as well. 11 Hangover 'Cures' Debunked. All those alleged hangover cures are little more than myths. There's only one cheap and simple cure that works. Top Fitness Trackers Under $50 to Get You Moving. Get fitter faster with top-rated fitness trackers under $50. Measure calories and get motivated to be more active throughout the day with instant feedback. 25 Delectable Gifts Under $25 for Foodies. From onion goggles to truffle oil, these cheap and practical gifts will keep the gourmet sated and happily cooking all year long. 12 Stocking Stuffers They'll Actually Use. Don't waste money by waiting until the last minute to buy stocking stuffers. These great, practical ideas start as low as $2. 10 Smart Tax Moves to Make Before the End of the Year. Taking steps such as making charitable donations, contributing to a 401(k), and making an extra mortgage payment before the end of the year can help lower 2015 taxes. 10 Toast-Worthy Sparkling Wines for $10 or Less. Any of these 10 budget-priced and flavorful sparkling wines will add festive good cheer to holiday celebrations -- and also deserve a place at the table year-round. 11 Ways to Put Your Family on a Budget for the New Year. Start the new year right with these 11 budgeting tips to get your financial house in order and help your family get on the right path. 12 Holiday Gifts You Can Get at the Dollar Store. Whether you're shopping for family, friends, or co-workers, dollar stores are a convenient source for inexpensive holiday gifts. 16 Incredible Gingerbread House Displays That Are Worth a Trip. Elaborate and mostly edible, these 16 gingerbread houses are anything but tame. Plan a trip, check out the displays, and maybe even take a piece home. 25 Places to Go for Spectacular New Year's Eve Fireworks. Catch the New Year's Eve fireworks displays in these 25 places, many of which also host free and family-friendly activities to usher in 2017. Love Chocolate? 10 Places You Have to Try the Hot Cocoa. Whether you're in New York, Chicago, or Austin, gourmet hot cocoa is a great way to warm up -- here are some of the best cups of liquid heaven across the country. Best 'Main Street' Shopping Districts in All 50 States. Here are 50 great places to shop while enjoying small town scenery, setting, people, and pace, all far, far away from crowded, chaotic megamalls. 10 Stores With Strict Return Policies. Some retailers are more forgiving about returns during the holiday season, but these 10 stores have strict return policies every shopper should know. 13 Stores With Amazing Return Policies. Holiday shopping is stressful enough without having to worry about returning an item. These 13 stores offer generous return policies -- and peace of mind. 11 Inexpensive Winter Cruises to Sunny Destinations. Winter can be exactly the right season to land a huge bargain on a getaway cruise to someplace warm and sunny like the Bahamas or Puerto Vallarta. 8 Ways to Give to Charity and Get a Tax Break for 2016. Tax-deductible donations to charity pay off personally and financially. Here are eight tips for claiming tax savings in 2016. 15 Inexpensive Ways to Make Overnight Holiday Guests Feel at Home. A few minor touches such as slippers and extra towels can make a huge difference in the comfort level of overnight holiday guests -- and their hosts.

Save on Auto Insurance: 18 Discounts to Ask About

Auto insurance is mandatory in every state, but insurance agents aren't required to disclose every discount available to vehicle owners. That's why it's important to know what is discount-worthy and ask for the best quote possible. Bankrate recently conducted a study of 10 auto insurance providers and found that while some discounts are fairly universal, others are offered only by a few companies. Car owners relocating to another state, switching providers, or going through major life events may be eligible for new discounts, as well. Cheapism.com identified 18 discount opportunities to check out.

States mandate minimum liability coverage and new-car owners may feel the need to opt for everything available, but with an older vehicle collision and comprehensive coverage aren't necessary. A rule of thumb is to stop paying for collision and comprehensive if the annual premiums are more than 10 times the replacement value of the vehicle. Personal injury protection can be reduced for car owners who are confident that their health insurance will cover accident-related medical expenses.

Insurance rates vary significantly depending on the vehicle and its age. The cheapest vehicles to insure are generally SUVs, crossovers, and pickups. Driving a vehicle that is just a few years old may result in a discount, as well. Some insurers offer green vehicle and economy car discounts.

In some states, an applicant's credit score can impact their insurance rates. Improving a credit score isn't an overnight process, but making sure payments are always made on time is one of the most important steps to take.

Insurance companies are eager to give discounts to customers who buy several types of insurance from them. Clients who already pay for homeowner's or renter's insurance, auto insurance on a different vehicle, or have taken out a life insurance policy should ask how much of a discount they would receive on a new auto policy. State Farm offers up to 22 percent off multi-line discounts (multiple types of insurance) and up to 20 percent off for multi-vehicle coverage. Sticking with a single insurer year after year may yield a loyalty discount. Anyone shopping around should contact several insurance companies to learn what the total cost would be if they transfer all their policies. An independent insurance broker can help with this process.

Married couples are eligible for all sorts of financial benefits and discounts, including lower premiums. It turns out that studies have shown married individuals are less likely to get in an accident. However, lower premiums aren't guaranteed, especially if one of the newlyweds has a bad driving record or long commute, or drives a luxury car.

Agents should ask about the safety features of a vehicle, but if they don't, be sure to share them. Automatic seat belts, airbags for both drivers and passengers, running lights or adaptive headlights, and anti-lock brakes can all lead to discounted premiums. Newer options such as rearview cameras, blind-spot or lane-departure warnings, and tire-pressure monitors (mandatory on all 2008 and newer vehicles) can decrease the cost of insurance.

Using anti-theft devices such as a steering wheel club, pedal locks, or an alarm system is often rewarded with a discount. Vehicle recovery systems such as LoJack may warrant further discounts, but at $695 it's a costly upfront installation.

Many organizations, clubs, and companies use the power of numbers to negotiate discounted rates with insurance companies. Members of alumni associations, AARP, the military, or any other large organization should check to see if they're eligible for a group-buying discount.

Student discounts often are available to those with at least a B average. Some companies, though, want to see students on the dean's list or at the top of their class. Student discounts, which can reach beyond 20 percent, don't apply to high schoolers only. Full-time undergrad and graduate students are eligible, although an age ceiling (generally 25) is common.

Speaking of students, many insurers give discounts to policyholders who have added a young student who is attending school at least 100 miles away but leaves the vehicle at home. This makes sense because the student will use the vehicle only occasionally.

Many auto insurance carriers offer a discount to drivers who don't use their car often. Consider joining a carpool, walking or biking to work, or, in multi-car households, using only one vehicle for road trips; after making such adjustments, contact the insurance agent to receive the discount. Alternatively, Metromile (available in select states) is a new type of auto insurance provider that bills based on the number of miles driven (tracked with GPS) rather than charging a fixed premium.

Drivers who have been behind the wheel for years may think they know everything there is to know, but taking a defensive driving course (even an online course) can lead to lower premiums. For example, Allstate offers a discount worth up to 10 percent to students who have taken the TeenSmart course and to those 25 years or older who have taken six hours of defensive driving instruction and have a clean record. In some states, Geico limits the defensive driver discount to policyholders aged 50 and older.

A lapse in auto coverage can result in increased premiums and even disqualification from some discounts. One option is to pay a year in full ahead of time, which often comes with a discount, or to set up automatic payments, another discount-worthy action. Take particular care when switching carriers and be sure there won't be a lapse.

Don't wait until the last minute to buy or renew an insurance policy. Buying a policy more than a week before it takes effect can lead to savings of 10 percent at Allstate and Travelers. Knowing this, policyholders may also be able to negotiate with their current provider by threatening to switch and quoting the early-purchase discount they would receive.

Perhaps easier said than done, but drivers with a clean record receive significant discounts. Geico offers up to 26 percent off to those who have been accident-free for five years. Allstate gives clean drivers up to 22 percent off after three years and up to 35 percent after five. Always wearing a seat belt also can lower premiums with some insurers.

Several insurance carriers now offer drivers the option to install GPS tracking in their vehicle. State Farm clients can enroll in the Drive Safe and Save program and install the company's In-Drive hardware or use a vehicle's built-in OnStar or Sync systems to track activity. Drivers receive up to five percent off right away and up to 50 percent off as more data is shared. Allstate's Drivewise system monitors drivers' speed, brake activity, and driving times and rewards good drivers with points that can be redeemed for gift cards, brand-name goods, and local offers. One warning: Drivers who receive a low-mileage discount may find their premiums go up if the tracking shows they drive more than they claim to. And another: If you're concerned about privacy, forget this tip.